Managing Attorney

Position Description

Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY) seeks a dynamic leader to fill a Managing Attorney position in LawNY’s Ithaca office. Managing attorneys oversee the day-to-day functioning of the office, provide guidance to the supervision team and collaborate on developing future plans to expand and support the work being done within the service area. 

Organization Information:

Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY®) is a not-for-profit law firm that provides free civil legal services to low-income clients in a 14 county area of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier. LawNY® has seven fully staffed field offices in Bath, Elmira, Geneva, Ithaca, Jamestown, Olean and Rochester, satellite offices in Lakeville and Lyons, and a business office in Rochester. 

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

The beginning salary for a Managing Attorney at LawNY with 5 years’ experience is $89,500 and the salary for a Managing Attorney with thirty years of experience is $118,100.  Salary will be based on experience. LawNY is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program(PSLF).

LawNY® provides an excellent package of fringe benefits including:

•  94% Employer paid Medical Premium with 100% Employer paid in-network deductible 
• 100% Employer paid Dental Insurance
• 100% Employer paid Life Insurance
• 100% Employer paid Enhanced Short-term Disability
• 100% Employer paid Long-term Disability
• Vision Insurance
• 20 Paid Vacation days per year
• 12 Sick days per year
• 5 Personal days per year
• 13.5 Holidays plus 2 floating Holidays per year
• 35-Hour Work Week
• Hybrid Work Schedule (new staff are able to work from home up to 3 days per week. After 6 months, this increases to 5 days per week with Manager approval, as workload permits)

Qualifications:These are the basic requirements for the position.

• Minimum of five years of legal experience as an attorney, with a preference for experience within civil legal services.
• Admitted to practice and in good standing in New York State, eligible for admission without examination, or able to be admitted pro hac vice.
• Experience supervising others and managing projects.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and undertake initiatives.
• Demonstrated support of an organizational culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated leadership on critical issues facing low-income people.

Responsibilities: These are the most significant responsibilities and primary functions of the positions.

• Oversees the day to day operations of the Ithaca office.
• Manages and supervises staff and ensures compliance with program, grant and personnel policies. 
• Maintains active involvement in the advocacy efforts of the office.
• Establishes and implements office procedures for staffing assignments, supervision, intake and case distribution.
• Ensures adequate quality control of casework through the development and implementation of training opportunities and supervision protocols.
• Maintains and develops relationships and/or collaborative efforts with current funders, community leaders, not-for-profit agencies, grass roots organizations, other public interest offices and governmental and elected officials.
• Maintains adequate space, equipment, supplies and other resources for the office.
• Participates in the LawNY management team, meetings of the Board of Directors, and regular LawNY committee meetings.
• Provides general administration of the office, including the development, preparation and submission of grant reporting and grant applications.

Additional Traits and Skills: These are the traits, attributes, attitudes, and skills that speak to candidates’ ability to succeed in the positions. While no candidates will possess all of the requirements listed, the ideal candidates will have many of the following qualifications. LawNY encourages each candidate to think about their own personal knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as professional skills and experience, in relation to the list of qualifications.

• Demonstrated ability to command the trust and respect of staff members, community groups and the legal community.
• Experience related to serving individuals from historically oppressed populations.
• An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including a commitment to providing trauma-informed services.
• Humility in working with colleagues and clients across the spectrum of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, immigrant status, religious identity, physical and mental disabilities and/or limited English proficiency.
• Ability to work under deadlines and manage multiple tasks.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and three professional references, with current email address and phone number, through LawNY®’s BambooHR platform, found here and at www.lawny.org/Employment.When outlining work experience on a resume, candidates are requested to label each position as full-time or part-time and describe unpaid volunteer/internships as such. 

To promote social justice and achieve our mission, LawNY® is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace. In your cover letter, please also include an explanation of how you think that your lived and/or professional experience or background has prepared you to contribute to support a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion at LawNY®. 

LawNY® is committed to equitable inclusion across race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ability, sex, religion, economic circumstances, ethnicity, national origin, and culture. We are increasingly committed to creating a law firm where race equity, diversity and cultural competency are integral components of our work, from client advocacy to internal operations. 

Questions or Accommodations? Contact Michelle Grillone at mgrillone@lawny.org

Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. (LawNY®) is an equal opportunity employer. LawNY® strongly encourages applications from Black, Indigenous and People of Color, women, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups whose background may contribute to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. LawNY® welcomes applications regardless of race, color, religion, veteran status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other consideration protected by law.

Salary : $89,500 - $118,100